This is how much it will cost to beat load-shedding using solar panels

[Hanno Labuschagne]

This is how much it will cost to beat load-shedding using solar panels

Eskom recently restarted its practice of load-shedding, regularly cutting power in certain areas to prevent a total failure of South Africa's electric grid.

This is in addition to its use of "load reduction" in areas where Eskom states that a high prevalence of illegal connections threatens to overload its infrastructure.

Experts predict that South Africans should brace for many more years of rotational blackouts in the country.

 

[Tander]

Have the staff at MyBB just run out of **** to post now?

Same article here - post on Sunday. You guys aren't even trying now.

 

[1geoff99]

There are many other excellent options left out between R8000 and R89000. E.g. 24V 2.4kW pure sine wave inverter plus 2x200Ah batteries for about R20000.

 

[Napalm2880]

All the talk in the forums are around Growatt, Mecer, Axpert inverters, yet we have articles that mention other brands. Forgive me if I'm hesitant to put money down on anything that isn't talked about at length in the forums.

 

[yogidabear]

Not sure I would recommend the Tesla Powerwall 2 as my experience has not been that great and like @Napalm2880 says there is not a lot of other existing users I can draw from. It was installed a few months ago as backup only with the intention of adding solar later. Long story but it does not work well as a backup as it raises the frequency to 55Hz during load shedding. This causes havoc as the TV restarts, lights on dimmers flicker on and off. Have blown fuses, lights. Tesla is aware of the problem and there is supposedly a firmware fix in the pipeline but for the price you pay its very disappointing.

 

[LCBXX]

Government is coming to tax all your off-grid installations...

 

[SilverCode]

There many other excellent options left out between R8000 and R89000. E.g. 24V 2.4Kw pure sine wave inverter plus 2x200Ah batteries for about R20000.

During the last round of load shedding at the beginning of the year, I bought an invertar and 2 x 100 Ah batteries for R14k. Those 2 x 100 Ah batteries are more than enough to run my PC, Server, network equipment, 50" TV, sound system and a lamp for 2 hours without getting close to low battery.

I over spec'd my setup because I didn't know what I am doing, and I overpaid for it because it was during the load shedding frenzy.

As long as you are not trying to run a stove or other large appliance off of it, you can easily get away with a R15k setup powering all the comfort essentials in your house without resorting to a full on solar setup.

 

[Lupus]

During the last round of load shedding at the beginning of the year, I bought an invertar and 2 x 100 Ah batteries for R14k. Those 2 x 100 Ah batteries are more than enough to run my PC, Server, network equipment, 50" TV, sound system and a lamp for 2 hours without getting close to low battery.

I over spec'd my setup because I didn't know what I am doing, and I overpaid for it because it was during the load shedding frenzy.

As long as you are not trying to run a stove or other large appliance off of it, you can easily get away with a R15k setup powering all the comfort essentials in your house without resorting to a full on solar setup.

By low battery you mean 50%

 

[avk]

I recently bought 2 x 105Ah batteries, 3KVA Axpert inverter, 2 x 305W Canadian Solar panels and all cables connectors, fuses, solar panel mounting brackets, etc. for about R18.5k. Delivered to my door.

I am hoping to install it this weekend. It's just me at home, so I should be able to run my office including my PC, CCTV and fibre connection during load shedding, which is all I really need. I measured the load to between 200-225W. Already have a gas stove for cooking and (more importantly) coffee.

When I have the cash available again, I'll add two more solar panels and batteries.

 

[TheChamp]

I recently bought 2 x 105Ah batteries, 3KVA Axpert inverter, 2 x 305W Canadian Solar panels and all cables connectors, fuses, solar panel mounting brackets, etc. for about R18.5k. Delivered to my door.

I am hoping to install it this weekend. It's just me at home, so I should be able to run my office including my PC, CCTV and fibre connection during load shedding, which is all I really need. I measured the load to between 200-225W. Already have a gas stove for cooking and (more importantly) coffee.

When I have the cash available again, I'll add two more solar panels and batteries.

Mind sharing the name of the supplier?

 

[avk]

Mind sharing the name of the supplier?

Any time. Should've added to my original post.

Bought from Solar Shop.

https://www.solar-shop.co.za/diy-kits/39-off-grid-solar-kit-3kva.html

They have a really good variety of products and kits. Received amazing service from them. Quick shipping and advice regarding what I needed. Can recommend them 100%.

 

[TheChamp]

Any time. Should've added to my original post.

Bought from Solar Shop.

https://www.solar-shop.co.za/diy-kits/39-off-grid-solar-kit-3kva.html

They have a really good variety of products and kits. Received amazing service from them. Quick shipping and advice regarding what I needed. Can recommend them 100%.

Cool thanks, there's always so many good offers, the trick is knowing who can be trusted.

 

[Tander]

Cool thanks, there's always so many good offers, the trick is knowing who can be trusted.

Solar shop is one of the good ones.

 

[profa]

There are many other excellent options left out between R8000 and R89000. E.g. 24V 2.4kW pure sine wave inverter plus 2x200Ah batteries for about R20000.

This ^. I got a 3kva/3000 watt inverter with 2x200a/h gel batteries for R16k installed. The inverter is crap though as I then installed 1670w worth of panels (at a cost of R15k installed) and only manage to get at best 1000w of power from them. Just over 60% efficiency sucks.

 

[HendrieV]

What you are getting from your setup sounds about par for the course. Why is the inverter to blame?

 

[TheChamp]

What you are getting from your setup sounds about par for the course. Why is the inverter to blame?

It could a PWM inverter as I also think 670W unaccounted for on a good sunny day is too much.

 

[TheChamp]

This ^. I got a 3kva/3000 watt inverter with 2x200a/h gel batteries for R16k installed. The inverter is crap though as I then installed 1670w worth of panels (at a cost of R15k installed) and only manage to get at best 1000w of power from them. Just over 60% efficiency sucks.

What's the max solar input for your inverter? You can also drop a link for the model.

 

[Tander]

What's the max solar input for your inverter? You can also drop a link for the model.

For a small inverter like that, 1600w is probably right near the limit.

 

[Tander]

This ^. I got a 3kva/3000 watt inverter with 2x200a/h gel batteries for R16k installed. The inverter is crap though as I then installed 1670w worth of panels (at a cost of R15k installed) and only manage to get at best 1000w of power from them. Just over 60% efficiency sucks.

The lady next door gets 65% out of hers. That's near enough what you can expect from panels. Even more so if they are not north facing. My panels get 80% efficiency - but they're north facing with zero shading.

 

[TheChamp]

For a small inverter like that, 1600w is probably right near the limit.

Some are 1000W, that's why I am interested in the specs.
This one is 600W. https://m.takealot.com/mecer-axpert...VArDtCh0gpgoGEAAYBCAAEgJmWvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds